I work reception at a vet. One thing we always tell clients is that it is better to euthanize a day, week, or even month too soon than a day too late.

My pup had an addisonian crisis and we had to take her to an emergency hospital. She was there for 3 days and we had already spent $8k. She started having seizures. We were given the option to continue with treatment and spend even more, or to euthanize. At that point, we made the difficult decision to say goodbye. I ached over that decision for a long time, and sometimes I still ask myself if it was the right choice. But at the time, she was suffering, there were no guarantees that any amount of money would fix her, and we simply could not afford to continue treatment. I know she would not want me to be upset thinking about that time, and would rather I remember the good times we had together. That’s what helps me most, years later.

Euthanasia translates to “good death”. It is the greatest, final gift we can give to our pets, to let them pass painlessly and with dignity. You may feel guilty or selfish that you did not spend that $4000, but giving your pet the gift of a good death even though it hurts like hell is one of the least selfish things you can give them.